What is equivocation in psychology?
Equivocation is the deliberate use of vague or ambiguous language, with the intent of deceiving others or avoiding commitment to a specific stance. For example, when a person is asked a direct yes-or-no question, and gives a vague response that doesn’t answer the question, that person is equivocating.
What is the equivocation theory?
Equivocation (information theory), measures the amount of information that is contained in a random variable or other unknown quantity, given the knowledge over another random variable. Amphibology, equivocation in literature.
What is another name for equivocation fallacy?
Equivocation is a fallacy by which a specific word or phrase in an argument is used with more than one meaning. It’s also known as semantic equivocation.
What is false equivocation?
False equivalence is an informal fallacy in which an equivalence is drawn between two subjects based on flawed or false reasoning. This fallacy is categorized as a fallacy of inconsistency. Colloquially, a false equivalence is often called “comparing apples and oranges.” False Equivalence. Jesus Christ.
Is equivocation a formal fallacy?
In logic, equivocation (‘calling two different things by the same name’) is an informal fallacy resulting from the use of a particular word/expression in multiple senses within an argument.
Why is equivocation used?
Equivocation allows the writer or speaker to avoid making a firm commitment to any particular position, which is a useful – though very deceptive – way of avoiding counterarguments or hard questions. In formal arguments, equivocation can be used to make a deceptively persuasive argument.
Does equivocate mean lie?
To equivocate is to say something in a way that can be understood multiple ways, especially so that people will think you mean one thing when you really mean another. It’s choosing and arranging your words carefully so that you’re not quite lying but so that your listener winds up deceived or misled.
How do you use equivocation?
The applicant seemed to be equivocating when we asked him about his last job. When asked about her tax plan, the candidate didn’t equivocate.
How do you equivocate?
What is equivocation in critical thinking?
The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument.
Who speaks equivocator?
Faith, here’s an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator. (Porter)(3.2.
What are the 5 types of fallacies?
– since every president has been a man the next must be a man – you have to be over 6′ to be in the nba – if you are successful then you are necessarily intelligent – To be a MVP in baseball you must be at least 5′7 – By the time you reach 30 you “naturally” mature
What are the 12 logical fallacies?
12. That’s gotta be a great line of clothes. Have you seen the prices and the people endorsing it? MATCHING LIST . Each argument commits only one fallacy, and each fallacy is only used once. a. False analogy. b. Appeal to authority. c. Post hoc ergo propter hoc. d. Attacking the person. e. Two wrongs. f. Non sequitur. g. Equivocation. h. False dilemma. i.
Can You give Me an example of an equivocation?
It can also be used in legal contexts, for example where a defendant wants to avoid admitting guilt, but also does not want to lie openly – so they use equivocation to escape the true answer. Examples of Equivocation Sentences: I have the right to watch “The Real World.” Therefore it’s right for me to watch the show.
How to use “equivocation” in a sentence?
to deceive or mislead someone using unclear language Examples of Equivocate in a sentence The crooked salesman went out of his way to equivocate the sales terms to the elderly couple. When things are not going Margie’s way, she will often twist the truth and equivocate to put things in her favor.